Bizzarro announces almost $100,000 for local fire, EMS units
Six local departments will receive a combined $96,000
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro February 3, 2023 | 5:01 PM
ERIE, Feb. 3 – Local fire and rescue departments will receive $96,585 in state funding, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced today.
“Our fire, rescue and emergency responders desperately need support,” Bizzarro said. “I have heard from local volunteers on this matter, and it’s a sentiment echoed across the state whenever the Policy Committee hosts a hearing on this matter. Emergency responders want to focus on training and saving lives, but because of the dwindling number of volunteers, fundraising and recruitment have taken on added importance.”
Six local fire, emergency medical service and rescue squads in Bizzarro’s legislative district were among the 2,336 applicants approved through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program today.
Local fire and rescue departments and their approved funding include:
- Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department, $14,317.55
- Fairview Fire and Rescue (grants approved for fire and EMS), $22,843.77
- Kearsarge Volunteer Fire Department, $13,826.29
- Lake Shore Fire Department (fire and EMS), $15,598.14
- West Lake Fire Department, $15,000
- West Ridge Fire Department, $15,000
“I will do whatever I can to ensure our local volunteers receive the funding they need from the state so our community has the protection, service and resources on hand to respond to emergencies,” Bizzarro said.
Today’s announcement continues Bizzarro’s efforts to properly fund first responders, and comes after he announced $90,000 in state funding had been approved for the Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department in November. So far this year, Bizzarro has helped secure more than $825,000 in state funding for local projects – including $742,888 in January alone.